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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 17, 2019 22:54:11 GMT
Just going to copy and paste my starting thread from biggonline over here minus the pictures Thought I would make my own topic for this years season, Today I have added a new starling box by CJ WILDLIFE www.birdfood.co.uk/starling-nest-box-with-balcony.htmlIts a really big box with a massive "balcony" abit like my sparrow box but on a bigger scale, Box as been mounted now and as a camera in and led lightening. On the blue tit side all my boxes are being viewed daily, I still have my two blue tit roosters / female sparrow rooster, At the moment my purple tree box is getting the most views along with one of my side boxes by a pair of blue tits. Have a look on my twitter - twitter.com/wildlifepaul to see the starling box etc if you didn't see it on my biggonline forum. Can't believe bigg forum is closing down but atleast we have this forum now for spring, BIG THANK YOU TO MATT!
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Post by matt on Jan 17, 2019 23:00:24 GMT
Really keen to hear how everyone's starling boxes go this year. We don't (seemingly) have a huge local of bluetits but we do have loads of starlings so I am tempted to get a starling box up myself for next year if these ones get a bit of use..
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 17, 2019 23:04:06 GMT
I think I may of got mine up abit to late for them to take to it for this year, But we will see. If you have a large number starlings you should, Or even make one yourself alot large than standard box and 45mm hole.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 19, 2019 13:38:06 GMT
Just had my first visitor to the starling box, It was a male sparrow not what I was looking for but atleast its been visited
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 19, 2019 13:57:22 GMT
Haha, he perhaps wants to up size this year!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 19, 2019 14:47:01 GMT
Would be a giant up size Karen!
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Post by springtime 66 on Jan 20, 2019 9:45:32 GMT
HI Paul beautiful frosty morning here, the blue tits busy checking out all boxes, ive not seen the great tits, only to come to the feeders
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 20, 2019 11:25:22 GMT
Morning Paul. Its very overcast up here in Yorkshire, very little wind, no frost but cool. Are you able to tell the male and female apart Paul, I find it hard at this stage?
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 26, 2019 12:42:58 GMT
Must of had about 40 visits to my purple box this morning by a pair blue tits, Male doesn't even bring the female in no more she comes in herself while hes in the tree above. Looks like the purple box could be the first nest this year, Which is my luck cause its got one of my older cameras in that is poor quality compared to my others sure these birds love to f**k with my head she best take herself to one of my side boxes or other box come march or she's in the dog house. Here's a video from one of the visits this morning anyway little miss woody the woodpecker on that hole
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Post by blueeyedchick on Jan 26, 2019 13:41:00 GMT
Oh Paul love the tapping on the box must be the male then? Still what do you expect for the purple box, just hope the female has good taste and takes it up as her des-res.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 26, 2019 13:48:08 GMT
Kathy, Deffo female, All my females have always tapped the box? My males never do that only ever come in to draw female in. Shes been back and forth all morning done a nest wriggle been tapping against camera tapping the walls box the male is outside on branch and as even come to box with sunflower hearrt to feed her so this one in box is 100% female.
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 26, 2019 16:43:00 GMT
Great news, so exciting! cheer I too have had a nest wriggle. It looks like they may be earlier this year, unless the weather turns again.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 26, 2019 16:53:48 GMT
Thanks Karen, I am going to take the box down on Monday and swap the cameras my other camera will only have 92 degree angle compared to this 120 degree one but cause its an old camera the quality of it isn't great or as sharp as my others are showing, I would of been ok with that last year but when all my other boxes are better quality wise I can't bring myself to accept it known she will probably pick that box it would eat me up inside known I had the chance to change it and didn't So little camera change will be happening Monday sometime I'll let you know how that goes haha problem free hopefully
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 26, 2019 16:59:11 GMT
Yes I know what you mean, best to do it now while you have chance before they really get going. Look forward to hearing your news.
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 27, 2019 11:59:50 GMT
Oh Paul, you should know by now that some female species, in other words - me - don't always do what they should, for example watching birds in the garden instead of housework! Anyway, good luck on Monday with swapping the camera for "Contrary Mary." Diane
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 27, 2019 12:02:57 GMT
Things look very promising for you as well Karen. Diane
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 27, 2019 12:52:28 GMT
No activity at all this morning (That i have seen) didn't turn the cameras on until 11am. However its very windy down to 4c and is freezing apparently the cold is here to stay for well into next week aswell
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 27, 2019 13:43:39 GMT
Very windy here and the wind chill is below freezing, not much going on either, other than one BT on his/her own going around the garden curiously looking into things, also spent a while in and out of a large evergreen bush we have, not sure if its thinking of a nest site there? It didnt appear to be looking for food.
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 27, 2019 13:51:07 GMT
here he/she is.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 27, 2019 15:37:55 GMT
Gorgeous photo karen! I am currently going through my spare cameras seeing what one I can put in the purple box tomorrow think am going for this one as can see from picture very sharp looking with the led light (this pic is testing it in a spare gardenature box I have) so mission swap the camera tomorrow it is dance
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Post by karenupnorth on Jan 27, 2019 18:33:46 GMT
Really good picture Paul. Better forecast tomorrow too, still cold but lighter winds and sunshine. Hope the swap goes smoothly.
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 28, 2019 10:07:41 GMT
That's a very good photo Paul - today isn't quite as cold or windy here, so if your weather is the same, you should manage it OK.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 30, 2019 10:52:07 GMT
Well, Weather was right. Few inches of snow hit us lastnight looks lovely but freezing. However that hasn't put my sparrows off no, The activity in the sparrow box this morning is through the roof. I'll post a little video below ( sorry for the shine on the picture its the sun shining onto the tv screen as you know i record my videos off my iphone) Video shows male and female, The female sparrow as been roosting now for hmmm 4 months maybe she doesn't clean her poo (thats my job monthly haha) Anyway heres the video and some stills from the video below
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Post by YorksherLass on Jan 30, 2019 12:08:13 GMT
I saw the pictures of your snow this morning on Twitter but nice to know you managed to sort out your camera before the nasty stuff hit! Absolutely wonderful video of the two sparrows, I've watched it twice, so hope they both keep on with the good work.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Jan 30, 2019 12:22:44 GMT
Thank you Diane, This will be the 4th season if they indeed nest again, Becoming regulars for me which is nice as they give me 2 or 3 nests per season.
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